Tolkien home obtains listed status
The house where JRR Tolkien wrote 'The Hobbit' and part of 'The Lord of the Rings' is to become a listed building.
The house, where Tolkien and his family lived from 1930 to 1947, is situated at 20 Northmoor Road, Oxford and was built in 1924.
Tolkien did his writing in the drawing room of the house.
The UK's Heritage Minister, Andrew McIntosh, said the decision was made on the basis of Tolkien's importance.
"Buildings are usually listed because of their fine architecture or unique design. But we can also give protection to buildings that have historical association with nationally important people or events. Professor Tolkien's house in Oxford is a fine example of this," McIntosh said.
The decision means that the building's preservation must be taken into account in the event of any redevelopment and any alteration to the house must preserve its character.
